The Silent Dead

"When a body wrapped in a blue plastic tarp and tied up with twine is discovered near the bushes near a quiet suburban Tokyo neighborhood, Lt. Reiko Himekawa and her squad take the case. The victim was slaughtered brutally--his wounds are bizarre, and no one can figure out the "what" or the "why" of this crime. At age twenty-nine, Reiko Himekawa of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police's Homicide Division is young to have been made lieutenant, particularly because she lacks any kind of political or family connections. Despite barriers created by age, gender, and lack of connections, she is mentally tough, oblivious to danger, and has an impressive ability to solve crimes. Reiko makes a discovery that leads the police to uncover eleven other bodies, all wrapped in the same sort of plastic. Few of the bodies are identifiable, but the ones that are have no connection to each other. The only possible clue is a long shot lead to a website spoken only in whispers on the Internet, something on the dark web known as "Strawberry Night." But while she is hunting the killer, the killer is hunting her ... and she may very well have been marked as the next victim"-- Provided by publisher.

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As a fan of police homicide procedurals this was a satisfying and enjoyable read for me, and I will see the movie. The translation is transparent, very good. CAUTION - several rough sections - detailed violence - though they don't go on too long. Several characters were detailed enough to get a real sense of person, and as in life they are quite varied individuals. I was cheering for Reiko, the lead. Plot is relatively plausible. Four stars.